April 28, 2010 - SMART acquires NextWindow

Acquisition extends SMART’s presence into broader consumer market and strengthens IP portfolio

CALGARY, AB --- April 25 2010 --- SMART Technologies, the world’s leading provider of interactive whiteboards, announces the acquisition of New Zealand-based NextWindow (Next Holdings Limited), a leading designer and manufacturer of optical touch technology for integration into all-in-one computers, computer displays and large-format screens. The acquisition reinforces SMART’s own investment in optical touch research and development, and combines the two companies’ significant optical touch patent portfolios. The NextWindow acquisition is expected to have minimal impact on both businesses’ day-to-day operations, offices and company structure. Both SMART and NextWindow are privately held companies.

NextWindow supplies optical touch components to manufacturers of PCs and other interactive displays. Its touch components are used in PCs and monitors sold by Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Medion, NEC, Samsung and Sony. The acquisition extends SMART’s current presence in the education, business and government sectors into the broader consumer market. SMART is also expanding its business in Asia, where NextWindow has already been active. In the past year, NextWindow has developed an Asian presence in Singapore, Taiwan and Korea.

“SMART serves a range of markets, and it is timely to diversify our revenue base beyond the sectors we already serve,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “NextWindow‘s core values, business model, patent portfolio and focus on the consumer market make it an attractive acquisition for us.”

“We are combining two companies with complementary expertise and a remarkably similar culture focused on innovation and excellence,” says Al Monro, NextWindow’s CEO. “NextWindow’s development of optical touch technology complements SMART’s efforts, and I’m delighted that we are becoming part of SMART.”

In the transaction, RBC Capital Markets were financial advisors to SMART and Cowen and Company, LLC were financial advisors to NextWindow.

About NextWindow

Founded in 2001, NextWindow is a designer and manufacturer of optical touch screens for integration into all-in-one computers, computer displays and large-format screens. NextWindow is a leader in optical touch technology, enabling OEMs, ODMs and resellers to add touch-screen capability to their products. With offices in New Zealand, Taiwan, Singapore and the United States, the company provides cost-effective manufacturing for PCs as well as customized solutions for kiosks, digital signage and interactive education.

About SMART

SMART Technologies, the global leader in interactive whiteboards, develops easy-to-use integrated products and services that can improve the way the world works and learns. For more than 20 years, innovation and commitment to excellence have been at the core of our business. We help educators achieve better results with technology products that support student-centered learning. We help businesses become more productive with easy-to-use collaboration solutions that enable better results. Our success is driven by our deep commitment to and engagement with both the education and business communities.


March 8, 2010 - Classroom Management with DVI digital video now a reality!

MONTREAL, Canada --- Oktober 7, 2009 --- Robotel has released SmartClass DVI, a new model of its SmartClass computer classroom management platform that supports DVI-D digital video connections and USB keyboard and mouse connections to student workstations.

This new system enables schools using high-end PC and MAC workstations for media-rich applications like Computer Aided Design, solid-modeling, architecture, cartography, media arts, and image processing, to implement classroom-wide student station management with no degradation of video images.

“Finally, educators have a classroom management solution that that delivers absolutely perfect DVI video quality with no loss of resolution or colors!” says Étienne Bouchard, president of Robotel Inc.

What is SmartClass?

SmartClass is a multimedia control system that equips instructors with the desktop tools they need to manage presentations, group collaboration and student participation in a computer classroom environment.

The system is managed from a control panel on the instructor’s desk, and most operations are invoked with a single mouse click or touch panel button. The focus is on simplicity for non-technical users.

SmartClass transforms a classroom of personal computers into a group collaboration system. With SmartClass, not only do instructors cover more material in less time – but they do so with measurable improvement of student retention levels and academic performance.

*Instructors broadcast their displays to all students for group presentations.
*Instructors blank student screens to focus attention
*Student displays are instantly shared with the class –without anyone leaving his desk
*Instructors provide instant remedial support to a subgroup or to individual students.
*Instructors remotely monitor student work to ensure proper progress

In short, students with problems get immediate support, while advanced students are free to progress at their own pace.

About SmartClass Technology

SmartClass is an IT friendly solution that routes computer audio and screen signals over dedicated multimedia network cabling, offloading this high-bandwidth traffic from local data networks.

The system is hardware based, and is entirely non-invasive of computer systems. It is network transparent, computer transparent, operating system transparent, and totally independent of all computer software applications.

The system is highly modular and scaleable, and can be sized to support classrooms with fewer than 10 students or huge lecture halls with 60 or more students.

The new SmartClass DVI platform uses modern lightweight, network-style category 5 (CAT-5) wiring, instead of traditional coaxial cables, to link underlying signal switching modules, and features a star wiring topology similar to today’s data networks. This means that the system can take advantage of existing premise wiring and conduit. It also means that all wiring connections can be rapidly modified from a central patch panel.

The SmartClass Family

Robotel’s SmartClass family now includes SmartClass VGA, (for systems running analog VGA video signals and PS/2 or USB keyboards and mice) and SmartClass DVI, (for highperformance systems running DVI digital video signals and USB keyboards and mice).

Both systems are supported under an industry-leading 3-year warranty program.

Robotel

Robotel is a global supplier of interactive, multimedia control systems and language learning solutions for educational, corporate and government clients. Robotel is a leader in the educational and training systems market, having more than 20 years of experience as a manufacturer of computer-based teaching systems. The firm has a top-rated customer service group and a large installed base of active customers. The company is based in Montréal, Canada and has a strong presence in North American, South American, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets.


February 10, 2010 - SMART leads 2009 global interactive whiteboard product category

SMART remains clear, global preferred choice

CALGARY, Alberta --- February 10, 2010 --- SMART Technologies announces its continued leadership in the global interactive whiteboard product category with a 48.2 percent share for 2009. According to Futuresource Consulting, an independent global research company that has tracked interactive whiteboard sales for more than nine years, SMART’s share for all of 2009 was more than twice its nearest competitor.* SMART sold just over 360,000 SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards in 2009, a record yearly total for the company and an increase of more than 60,000 interactive whiteboard sales versus the previous record established in 2008. Sales of SMART Board interactive whiteboards continued to be strong in the United States, where the company sold nearly 200,000 interactive whiteboards in 2009 and attained a 60.9 percent product category share. In major geographies around the world, SMART’s category share also remained strong. SMART was the leading interactive whiteboard provider in the Americas (North America, Latin America and South America) with a 61.8 percent category share, in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) with a 41.6 percent share and in Asia-Pacific with a 23.3 percent share. Additionally, the company attained an 82.5 percent product category share in Canada, 77.9 percent share in Mexico, 63.5 percent share in the United Kingdom and 58.3 percent in Australia.

Futuresource reports that the value of 2009 global sales in the interactive whiteboard product category surpassed US$1 billion. The total number of interactive whiteboards sold by all manufacturers during 2009 was 747,572, up nearly 34 percent from the previous year. Futuresource predicts the number of interactive whiteboards sold in 2010 will be nearly one million – a 27 percent increase over 2009. There are currently 2.78 million interactive whiteboards installed worldwide, representing approximately seven percent of all classrooms. Futuresource forecasts strong growth over the next four years – with the global installed base of interactive whiteboards reaching 7.3 million – meaning that by 2013, 20 percent of classrooms will include an interactive whiteboard. There are approximately 1.5 million SMART Board interactive whiteboards installed worldwide, and more than 30 million students benefit from the product every day.

“The 2009 Futuresource report shows people in a variety of fields are increasingly recognizing the benefits of interactive whiteboards,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “As sales increase, customers around the world continue to choose SMART because of our commitment to provide the most effective, easy-to-use education and business solutions.”


February 10, 2010 - New SMART Response™ XE extends interactive response system line

Full QWERTY keyboard ideal for math and science assessments

AUSTIN, Texas --- February 10, 2010 --- SMART Technologies announces SMART Response XE interactive response system, a new addition to the growing SMART Response product line. SMART Response XE includes keyboard-style handheld wireless remotes (or clickers), a receiver and powerful assessment software that enables teachers to easily conduct assessments and gauge understanding quickly and efficiently. Results can be instantly displayed, providing students and teachers with immediate feedback. The new SMART Response XE is ideal for secondary education classrooms and allows teachers to ask as many as 100 questions in a single lesson file. The full QWERTY keyboard gives teachers the flexibility to ask more question types and enables students to submit advanced math and science equations as well as text answers. As many as 100 remotes can be supported by a single receiver. SMART Response XE will begin shipping in the summer of 2010.

As with all SMART Response interactive response systems, SMART Response XE enables teachers to create quizzes and tests for formative and summative assessment, or to ask spontaneous questions to gain ongoing insight into student comprehension. They can, as a result, adjust instruction to better meet students’ learning needs. SMART Response XE integrates seamlessly with SMART Notebook™ collaborative learning software, so teachers do not have to launch another application to use SMART Response. They also have access to thousands of questions correlated to national and learning authority standards via the SMART Exchange™ online community, which can be found at exchange.smarttech.com. More information on SMART Response XE and the SMART Response product line can be found at smarttech.com/response.

“Teachers and students in secondary education classrooms require interactive tools that are designed for their specific learning needs,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “The new SMART Response XE provides a sophisticated interactive response system ideally suited for teaching and assessment at the secondary level.”

Features

Full QWERTY keyboard – The keyboard supports math and science equations and text answers

SMART Notebook software integration – Teachers can quickly deliver questions without leaving a lesson or opening another software application

Multiple assessment options – Teachers can prepare quizzes or exams in advance to deliver standardized assessments or, at any point during a lesson, ask spontaneous questions to gauge student understanding

Support for multiple question types – SMART Response XE supports a variety of question types, including advanced math, multiple choice, true or false, alphanumeric response up to 140 characters, multiple answer and short answer

Instant results – Graphing feature provides immediate visual representation of student responses
Teacher Tools – Teachers can access, view and manage all assessment data in one location and organize it by student and class. A built-in gradebook tracks performance and records test results, which are automatically collected and saved into one easily accessed file. The gradebook also enables teachers to generate PDF reports or export to Excel®.

Radio frequency technology – Receiver connects easily via USB connection and can support as many as 100 handheld remotes within a single classroom

Easy-to-replace batteries – Four easy-to-replace AAA batteries power each student device

The SMART Response interactive response system product line

•The SMART Response LE interactive response system is designed for learners in early education and students with special needs. SMART Response LE features simple and colorful remotes that allow students to respond to a variety of question types using easy-to-understand symbols.
•The SMART Response PE interactive response system is designed for most K–12 classrooms and includes remotes with multitap text entry, allowing students to submit text answers up to 20 characters
•The SMART Response XE interactive response system is designed to meet the specific needs of secondary students and features full QWERTY keyboard remotes that support advanced math and science functions
•SMART Response CE interactive response software is designed for computer-enabled learning environments and enables students to respond directly from their own computers


February 2, 2010 - New SMART business solutions enhance meeting experiences

New solutions make global collaboration easy and cost effective

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands --- February 2, 2010 --- SMART Technologies announces its new SMART business solutions, comprising integrated hardware and software products developed specifically to provide customers with easy-to-use tools that improve collaboration in interactive meeting spaces. The new SMART business solutions line includes SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards, SMART Board interactive whiteboard systems and collaboration software, including SMART Meeting Pro™ 2.0 software and SMART Bridgit™ 4.0 conferencing software. The range of SMART Board interactive whiteboard models ships with SMART Meeting Pro. SMART Board interactive whiteboard systems include a SMART Board interactive whiteboard with integrated projector and either SMART Meeting Pro or a collaboration appliance. SMART business solutions provide easy and immediate access to data and applications, enabling meeting participants to review files, share information and save and distribute their work to all team members. The components of SMART business solutions integrate easily, so users can create a solution that truly meets their needs – whether they want to upgrade their meeting rooms from flipcharts and dry-erase whiteboards or connect people in several locations in real time.

SMART Board interactive whiteboard systems include both widescreen (16:10) and standard (4:3) interactive whiteboards with integrated projectors. For meeting spaces that already have a dedicated computer, users can choose an interactive whiteboard system that includes SMART Meeting Pro. For meeting rooms without a dedicated computer, users can choose an interactive whiteboard system that includes a collaboration appliance, which enables users to create, share and distribute digital notes without the need for a computer. Business users also have the option to choose a premium system that includes SMART Meeting Pro Premium software (Microsoft® Windows® operating system only) and is configured for SMART Bridgit server software. SMART Bridgit conferencing software enables local and remote users to collaborate and share data on their SMART Board interactive whiteboards and laptops in real time, regardless of location. Notes and annotations can easily be captured and e-mailed to attendees, lowering printing costs and reducing environmental impact. Using SMART Bridgit conferencing software reduces travel requirements, lowers costs, increases productivity in meetings and enables people to collaborate more efficiently. SMART business upgrade kits will be available to existing users of the SMART Board 680 and SMART Board 685 interactive whiteboard systems in March and include a fixed unit wall mount, USB speakers and either SMART Meeting Pro or a collaboration appliance.

"We are using this technology to transform the way the company works. Originally we started off as a small pilot at Adastral Park”, says Alan Bateman, director of next generation engineering at British Telecomm. “It’s been so successful that we have now decided to deploy it across five global sites around the world, with the smaller sites collaborating using SMART’s business technology between each site. It is saving us a lot of money and we are able to have the teams collaborating in real time together – it has been very successful.”

”Online collaboration in the business world is very PC-centric and, as a result, knowledge workers have been somewhat constrained by the keyboard-and-mouse-only model,” says Alan Greenberg, senior analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research. “Changes in technology are enabling new, more natural and open ways for business people to collaborate, brainstorm and do better work in group settings – SMART Technologies is continuing to respond to the needs of the market with this announcement.”

“In today’s complex business environment, organizations require easy-to-use, integrated tools that facilitate collaboration and help teams make the most of their meeting time,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “The new SMART business solutions will enable organizations to create more engaging meeting spaces, increase productivity and make information sharing simple and efficient.”

SMART business solutions features

SMART Board interactive whiteboard – Includes a SMART Board interactive whiteboard with SMART Meeting Pro software.

SMART Board interactive whiteboard system – Includes a SMART Board interactive whiteboard, short-throw or ultra-short-throw projector and either SMART Meeting Pro software or a collaboration appliance.

SMART business upgrade kit – Includes SMART Meeting Pro or a collaboration appliance with a fixed unit wall mount and USB speakers to retrofit SB680 and SB685 SMART Board interactive whiteboards.

SMART Bridgit 4.0 conferencing software new features

SMART Scheduler – Allows the SMART Bridgit server to integrate with Microsoft Exchange Server and Outlook® clients to schedule and book recurring SMART Bridgit meetings.

Bridgit Global Server Network (GSN) – Multilocation networking provides increased scalability and improved support for a multisite SMART Bridgit server deployment and optimizes WAN bandwidth.

Multiple display sharing – Enables meeting presenter to share multiple displays with local and remote participants.

Integrated webcam support – Enables SMART Bridgit software to support an increased number of simultaneous webcam streams.


November 5, 2009 - Online version of SMART Notebook software opens access to content

Download, open, edit and share lesson activities and content with SMART Notebook Express

CALGARY, Alberta --- November 5, 2009 --- SMART Technologies announces the immediate release of the beta version of SMART Notebook Express software. This free, lightweight, web-based application lets anyone, anywhere download, edit and share files created in SMART Notebook software. For educators who do not have SMART Notebook software installed on their computers, SMART Notebook Express enables them to access and customize SMART Notebook content for their teaching needs. Because SMART Notebook Express is a web-based application, no downloading or installation is required, making it accessible anywhere there is an Internet connection. SMART Notebook Express is hosted in the cloud, so it offers universal access from any Web browser, automatic feature updates and reliability.

SMART Notebook Express incorporates popular features of SMART Notebook software, including the text-editing tool, pen tool, single object selection, move and delete, basic Adobe® Flash® support and the option to add a page. These features enable teachers to deliver interactive lessons using SMART Notebook files while keeping the software lightweight and open for anyone’s use, regardless of operating system. SMART Notebook Express is available in English (US and UK), French, Spanish, German and Italian. The beta application will be regularly updated with new features and functionality until the full product release. To access the beta version, visit express.smarttech.com.

“Great interactive content opens many doors to learning,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “Around the world there is a huge community of teachers creating great content for use in SMART Notebook software, and with SMART Notebook Express teachers everywhere now have access to it.”

Features

Page Sorter – Sort pages into different content groupings, or vary the order to meet the needs of different groups of students
Text-editing – Edit text boxes in SMART Notebook files to customize content
Pen tool – Write free-hand, spontaneous notes in any SMART Notebook file
Single object selection – Select any single object for editing, moving, copying or deletion from a page
Move and delete – Move or delete any object on a page
Basic Adobe Flash support – View basic Flash files on any page
Add page – Add a new page with the press of a button
Open URL – Open a SMART Notebook file directly from a URL


September 3, 2009 - SMART launches redesigned website for teachers

New SMART Exchange website offers easy access to content and community

CALGARY, Alberta --- September 3, 2009 --- SMART Technologies announces the beta launch of its redesigned SMART Exchange website for teachers. The website (exchange.smarttech.com) contains SMART’s education content, community forums and teacher-support networks. Previously in different locations, the content and community services that educators want from SMART are now all in one place. But the site is not simply a consolidation of resources. The new design has been extensively tested by educators, who provided input on feature and navigation enhancements, particularly those related to a robust search function that returns relevant results. The custom-designed search function searches not only titles, but the content of each resource, so educators can quickly find, evaluate and share relevant material. They can also view lesson activities before downloading them, thus ensuring they can quickly download what they need. With previous resource downloads numbering in the millions, SMART anticipates this feature will be very popular. No registration is required to use the new site, so educators have easy access to more than 25,000 free high-quality resources globally, including over 15,000 US-specific resources and an active community of voluntary members (i.e., members have not been subscribed as part of a product registration process or in order to download lesson activities or other resources).

In recent months, SMART has increased the volume of its education resources from 10,000 to 25,000, in order to provide the degree of depth and choice educators want in digital content. Educators also provided input into the kind and quality of resources they need. Standards-correlated lesson activities are now available for all grade levels. In the future, the site will be fully integrated with SMART Notebook Express, a light version of award-winning SMART Notebook software, which enables any educator to download and edit .notebook files for classroom use. Teachers can easily upload their own lesson activities to SMART Exchange for others to use. Other educators using these resources can highlight the ones they like using the Recommend button. The total number of times a lesson activity has been recommended shows beside it. The new SMART Exchange beta site can be accessed at exchange.smarttech.com.

“Teachers today need high-quality digital resources to use in technology-enabled learning environments,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “SMART Exchange provides easy access to a treasure trove of resources that engage students and give teachers access to the professional learning communities they need and value.”

Features

Quick search – Find educational content right away with an efficient search function

Preview – Get content details and a full visual preview before downloading

Standards-correlated lesson activities – Access, download and use standards-correlated lesson activities

Refined search results – Refine by subject, grade, media type, number of downloads and teacher recommendations

SMART Notebook lesson activities – Find lesson activities created by teachers and SMART education specialists

SMART Response question sets – Find assessments created by teachers and SMART education specialists

Download and share – Download or upload educational resources to share with other teachers

Open access – No sign-in or registration required to find, evaluate, get and share resources

SMART integration – Open resources from SMART Exchange in SMART Notebook Express or SMART Notebook collaborative learning software

Discussion forums – Connect with teachers in a professional learning community to gather insight and exchange ideas and best practices


September 1, 2009 - EP-TEC Solutions Indonesia welcomes PT. Mitra Resources as our newest dealer in Indonesia.

EP-TEC Solutions Indonesia welcomes PT. Mitra Resources as our newest dealer in Indonesia.

August 19, 2009 - SMART releases white paper on reducing teacher stress

Research finds that interactive whiteboards help alleviate anxiety and improve teacher quality of life

CALGARY, Alberta --- August 19, 2009 --- SMART Technologies announces the release of its white paper, “Reducing stress in the classroom: How interactive whiteboards and solution-based integration improve teacher quality of life.” The white paper examines the causes of teacher stress and finds that effectively integrating interactive whiteboards can help reduce it. For example, using an interactive whiteboard to create lessons can shorten lesson preparation time, simplify resource sharing among peers, facilitate differentiated learning and reduce anxiety felt by new teachers. The white paper also provides practical tips on purchasing and successfully implementing interactive whiteboards and other technology products in the classroom.

“Reducing stress in the classroom” references numerous studies from North America, Europe, Asia and Australia to explain that comprehensive, solution-based integration can help ensure successful adoption and use of interactive whiteboards, thereby reducing workload-related stress. With appropriate professional development and access to resources and administrative support, teachers can use interactive whiteboards to quickly and easily incorporate multimedia resources into lessons, all of which ultimately shortens preparation time. With a touch-enabled interactive whiteboard and lessons rich in multimedia content, teachers can reach a broad range of students with different learning styles. In addition, sharing digital resources with peers allows teachers more time to better meet the specific needs of individual students. Recent research from the University of Virginia cited in the paper also demonstrates how the use of interactive whiteboards enables flexible sequencing and pacing of lessons. Teachers can alter the flow of lesson delivery based on how well students progress through and understand subject matter. The white paper also illustrates how interactive whiteboards decrease anxiety felt by new teachers by providing lesson storyboards that enable them to maintain their train of thought and regain focus when the planned flow of a lesson is interrupted. The white paper is available at www.smarttech.com/whitepapers.

“The questions concerning classroom technology products today are not about whether or if, but when and how,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “This white paper points to research on how interactive whiteboards can be used to help reduce teacher stress, particularly as it relates to workload, but it also underscores the need for teaching infrastructures with administrative systems that support professional development and innovative approaches to accessing, creating and sharing digital lesson materials.”